Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up:

• Alaska Olympian: Seward swimmer is first Alaskan to swim in the Olympics. Good luck in Tokyo, Lydia!

• Spa lovers: Alyeska Resort is building a fancy new Nordic spa. Mountains and massage, anyone?

• Independent travelers: In the absence of cruise passengers, independent travelers are helping fill the gap.

• Alaska breweries: What pandemic? Alaska’s beer industry keeps growing. Bottoms up.

Thumbs down:

• Syphilis rates: Alaska’s syphilis rates maintain record growth. Gross.

• Standardized tests: APU is the first Alaska university to ditch standardized tests in admissions.

• ANWR prospects: Biden Administration pulls the plug on ANWR’s leasing program. Here we go again.

– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska